Prominent prisoners held by both sides appeal to leaders to work out an exchange.

Excessive-profile prisoners held by each Russia and Ukraine, together with two British fighters believed captured in Mariupol, appealed on Monday to be exchanged.

Viktor Medvedchuk, one of many richest tycoons in Ukraine and an in depth ally of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, appeared in a 34-second video posted on Twitter by the Safety Service of Ukraine. Mr. Medvedchuk, 67, the chief of a Ukrainian political celebration, requested each Mr. Putin and the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to change him for the individuals defending Mariupol in addition to any civilians trapped within the besieged, shattered southern port metropolis.

Mr. Medvedchuk, who had been beneath home arrest on treason expenses when the conflict began however escaped, had been proven after he was captured on April 12, handcuffed, in army fatigues and searching raveled and dazed. In his enchantment on Monday, his hair was combed and he was carrying a zippered sweater.

Mr. Medvedchuk was thought of notably near Mr. Putin, who was godfather to his youngest daughter.

Two British fighters for Ukraine apparently captured in Mariupol appeared on Russian state tv, asking to be launched in change for Mr. Medvedchuk. All three males gave the impression to be talking whereas in detention. The 2 Britons made the suggestion on the prompting of a person not recognized on digicam, who confirmed them a clip from a information convention that Mr. Medvedchuk’s spouse, Oksana, gave over the weekend asking that he be freed. That prompted hypothesis that the Russians, who managed the interview course of, had give you the change concept.

It was unclear how free the Britons had been to say what they needed. The 2 — Shaun Pinner, 48, and Aiden Aslin, 28 — spoke individually in interviews broadcast Monday on Rossiya 24, a state channel. Each males requested that the British authorities supply help towards an change for Mr. Medvedchuk. “I’d wish to enchantment to the federal government to ship me again house; I’d wish to see my spouse once more,” Mr. Pinner mentioned, addressing Prime Minister Boris Johnson immediately in saying that each males wanted assist.

The 2 fought on the Ukrainian facet in Mariupol, which Russian forces have nearly captured completely, apart from the huge Azovstal steelworks advanced. Each appeared in good well being, if a bit battered and soiled, and Mr. Aslin had a gash in his brow. The Geneva Conventions bar coerced interviews with prisoners of conflict.